Conventional wisdom might suggest that you should remove your “Powered by” branding when a customer pays for your service. After all, isn’t it more professional to have a clean, unbranded experience? Not necessarily.
In fact, a simple piece of advice from Y Combinator changed the trajectory of StatusPage.io: keep the branding on for paying clients. This decision was initially met with hesitation. The StatusPage.io team worried that customers might be offended or request the branding to be removed. However, to their surprise, this concern never materialized.
Why This Worked
The “Powered by” branding acted as a subtle yet powerful form of social proof and referral marketing. When other businesses or individuals saw StatusPage.io’s branding on a page, they became curious about the service, especially since it was already being used by companies they trusted. This strategy turned every paying customer into a potential ambassador for the product without requiring additional effort or cost.
The Results
This small decision had an outsized impact on the company’s growth:
- Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) grew from $5,000 to $25,000 in a short period.
- The branding acted as a built-in marketing tool, creating organic exposure to new audiences.
- Customers didn’t complain about the branding, proving that subtle, non-intrusive marketing can coexist with a great user experience.
Lessons Learned
- Leverage Subtle Branding: “Powered by” tags or similar elements can serve as effective word-of-mouth marketing tools. They allow potential customers to see your product in action, sparking curiosity and trust.
- Don’t Underestimate Organic Referrals: Happy customers are often your best advocates, and visible branding can amplify their influence.
- Test Assumptions: StatusPage.io initially feared backlash, but the reality proved otherwise. This underscores the importance of experimenting with strategies rather than relying on assumptions.
- Low-Cost, High-Impact Growth: Keeping branding visible is a zero-cost strategy that can deliver significant returns, especially for SaaS businesses looking to scale.
Applying This to Your Business
If you run a business that provides tools, software, or platforms, consider keeping subtle branding in place, even for paying customers. Make sure the branding:
- Is non-intrusive and doesn’t interfere with the customer experience.
- Highlights your service in a way that inspires trust and curiosity.
- Provides an easy pathway for potential customers to learn more about your product (e.g., a clickable link).
Key Takeaway
Sometimes, the smallest changes can lead to the biggest results. By keeping their “Powered by” branding, StatusPage.io turned their existing customer base into a growth engine, proving that subtle marketing can be a game-changer for scaling a business.